Engine-valve-closing spring.



R. W. GUILFORD. mam: VALVE OLOSI'NG SPRING. AHLIQA'IION FILED JULY 27, 1908.

918,534. Patented Apr. 20,1909.

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WITNESSES: W% INVENTOR.

UNITED sram s rarnwr @FFIQE.

RUSSELL W. GUILFORD, OF AUBURN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM H. McINlYR-E, OF

AUBURN,

INDIANA.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RnssnLL IV. GU11.- rono, a citizen of the United States, residing at .Auburn, in the county of Dekalb, in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine-Valve- Closing Springs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference bein had to the accom 32111 in drawings. 6 t: L, 1

which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in engine-valve closing springs specially designed for explosive engines.

The object of my present invention is to provide an improved means for normally maintaining exhaust engine-valves in their closed position, and yet adapted to permit the opening of the same under the influence of my suitable mechanical means, and so constructed and arranged as to be readily detached or replaced, being positive in action and reliable in use.

My invention consists of a spring having its ends loosely secured to the free end of the exhaust-valve stem and having its central portion so coiled about and secured to an adjacent fixed support that the ends of the spring exert a constant, uniform and predetermined outward longitudinal tension upon the valve-stem, which tension is readily overcome by the oppositely exerted mechanical means above mentioned.

The novelty of my invention resides in the simple and efficient construction of the valve actuating spring, and its cooperative relation with the valve-stem which it engages.

Similar reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views of the drawings in WhlCh Figure 1 is a cross-section of a cylinder head of an explosive engine taken on the line ma2 of Fig. 2, showing the cooperative relation of my invention with the exhaust valve-stem which it controls. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the cylinder head of an explosive engine, preferably adapted for use in motor-vehicles, showing the manner in which the spring en ages a pair of exhaust valve-stems, and the manner of securing the central portion of the spring to its fixed support. Fig. 3 is a detail of a modified form of my invention adapted for Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. July 27, 1908.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Serial No. 445,607.

; use upon a single valve-stem. Fig. *1 is a detail central cross section of the preferred form of washer I employ.

The cylinder head 1 is specially designed for an explosive engine for motor vehicles, and is of the usual or any other proper form, and has a pair of oppositely arranged exhaust ports 2 which may be of any desired construction and arrangement. The ports 2 are connected with the interior of the cylinder by means of the ports 3, Fig. 1 which are controlled and normally closed by the exhaust valves f of similar construction, each of which is provided with a concentric and right-angularly arranged valve-stem 5. The free end of the 'alve stems are surmounted by any suitable washers 6 loosely mounted thereon, and secured in position by the diametric pins 7 which are fixed in the valve-stem at or near its free end, as shown. The washer which I preferably employ has an annular peripheral flange 11 upon its outer face against which the 0pposite ends the pin 7 impinge and thereby prevents its displacement in use, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The outer face of the washer G has a circular boss 16, Fig. 1, which is inclosed by the looped end of the spring about to be described.

At a suitable point on the cylinder head 1 is arranged a fixed or integral lug S provided at its outer end with one or more lateral openings adapted to receive and rigidly secure the short pin 14- in the position shown in Fig. 2 with both of its ends extended beyond the said lug.

My improved spring 9 is preferably made of wire of proper dimensions, strength and tension, and has each of its free ends formed into a loop 10 which loosely incloses the valve-stem 5 and the boss 16 and bears against the inner face of the washer G and the perimeter of the said boss in use. The spring 9 is also formed into two similar coils 12 connected by the yoke portion 13 which bears against the inner face of the lug 8. These coils 12 are loosely mounted on the respective extended ends of the pin 14, as shown, and which support the spring while the lug 8 forms a fulcrum therefor in action.

If it is desired to employ but one exhaust valve my invention is readily adapted for use upon the one valve instead of two valves by cutting the spring into two equal parts, or at the middle of the yoke portion 13, as

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shown in Fig. 3, leaving a single loop 10 and a single coil 12, the inner free end 15 forming a fulcrum bearing on the lug 8.

The operation and manner of employing my invention thus described is obvious and briefly stated is as follows: hen the eX- haust valves 4 are forced open against the tensions of the springs 9 by the mechanical means above mentioned to discharge the exhaust, the springs 9 promptly close the said valves as soon as they are relieved from the actuating influence of the said mechanical means, and firmly hold the valves in their closed position until they are again opened as before. The same operation takes place when the spring is single instead of double, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention and the manner of employing the same, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve closing spring consisting of a wire having its ends looped to engage a pair of valve stems, and having its central portion provided with a pair of coils connected by an integral yoke portion adapted to form a fulcrum bearing upon a suitable support, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A valve closing spring for a pair of eX- haust valves, consisting of a single piece of wire having its central portion provided with a pair of tension coils connected by a yoke portion adapted for fulcrum bearing, the ends of the wire being formed into similar loops which are adapted for an actuating engagement withthe exhaust valve-stems.

3. A valve closing spring consisting of'a single piece of wire having its ends loosely secured to a pair of valve stems, and having its central portion provided with a pair of tension coils united by a central yoke portion constituting a fulcrum bearing, in combination with a suitable fulcrum for the said yoke.

Signed by me at Auburn, Dekalb county, State of -lndiana, this 23rd day of July, 1908.

' RUSSELL N. GUILFORD.

.Vitnesses C. F. SOOVILLE, T. V. BURKLEY. 

